Family Fun Time

Summer 2017 Events

[Best of the Best] Kalahari Resort – Poconos

For ~$ 400 we had one of our very best family get away in the Poconos. Kalahari is a water park resort that has an amazing amount of activities to offer for all ages. We (two adults and 3 children) spent 2 days and 1 night at the resort. It was nothing short of amazing…and certainly worth every dime of it. This is a place we will certainly try to go back to again and again as time permits. Check it out too…you will be amazed

Kalahari resorts – PA

Dining  Out Over Spring Break 2016

We are not a typical dinning out family. To be precise, the number of times we dine out can be called precisely. We enjoy family prepared meals ranging from outdoor cooking (barbeques) to inhouse cooking and baking.  This is for reasons i will elaborate in few.

Looking at  literature and studies, the average American families are dining out more often, a trait that maybe a common thing. Infact, a study released in April 2015 by Michelle Jamrisko (http://t.co/khqWaleuVb pic.twitter.com/SLn81kOph1) indicated that “Americans spend more on dining out than groceries for first time ever” .

Following a recent visit to a Mexican Restaurant along Broadstreet in Bloomfield, NJ my family was not only amazed by the number, and diversity of eateries we passed down the street as we tried to locate El Matador Mexican RestaurantEl Matador Mexican Restaurant, but also,  suprisingly, the restaurants filled to capacity, the hour just before 8 PM!

Now, this was our experience in Bloomfield, NJ, one evening out Thursday 14th, 2016.  We parked our truck, walked a few blocks, and got ourselves settled in for the activity. Did i mention..that this was a random pick restaurant based on its online credentials. For that reason, we all had our reservations.
I remember when i mentioned to the kids that we would be trying out a mexican cuisine that evening, not all were receptive. In their imagination, guacamole, tacos, enchiladas were the common items they were likely to see on the menu!

As we sat down, we quickly realixed that the menu was pretty versatile (check it here) inluding Frenh Fries, which are a hit to our kids whenever dining out is mentioned, otherwise it is NOT dinner out. Simply because over years, they have accustomed to our delicious homecooked meals, which take care of options like rice, pilau, curry chicken, goat stew, beef stews, lentil soup, githeri, wedged potatoes, grilled chicken/beef/goat/ pork ribs…name it and they will tell you it aint’ as yummy as mommy’s.
The waiting was a little longer, especially for the kids. They had been served a drink, which mom and dad were cautious they would finish before the meal, rendering them unable to consume the food..and so they had to hold on.

One family at atime, the sitting capacity was quickly filling. Soon enough, the waiter approached our table, only to change his mind a few steps away from our table, on whose order to take, and proceded to take an order of a couple who had arrived after us!!!!!
To my thinking, i had assumed the first comes, first is served. But sorry, it did not apply for this instance. Our youngest daugther was not thrilled. She had waited patiently for her turn to communicate her order details :).  We were all taken a back by the moment..is it because we were 5 versus 2? Is it because we were of color? Is it because we were first timers here? ..the list was endless. We convinced her to calm down and wait alittle while, and YES! it was our turn to place the orders.

As we waited, we couldn’t help but look around the inside decor. A few things stood out. First, we were impressed to see a small altar at one of the corners (placed high above ~ 6 – 7 ft ) with a statues of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared in December of 1531 to Saint Juan Diego at the Tepeyac Hill in the area of modern day Mexico City!. among other collections of religious items. Second, we noticed pictures of the bull and the matador as involved in the bullfighting tradition carried out in Spain, France, Portugal, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and Ecuador. Infact, the largest bullfighting ring in the world, fitting 60,000 spectators, resides in Mexico City.  The tradition has been condemed as animal cruelty but it still persists in this regions of the world.

Well, the meal was finally served. We enjoyed every bit it, to the point we forgot the cost of coming second and waiting alittle longer.
Or was it communicating to us that its not always those who come first who lead the game? Infact, they are placed last ! Food was delicious, and like other eateries we have been to in the few times we did, we had only one food container to carry back home with left overs.
I liked their meal portions. The pricing of food itmes was also not over the top. The kids loved it and turned out fun after all.  Before leaving, the waiter pleaded that we sample their Three Milk Desert. We did, with reservations again..and we all shared one sample which turned out to be scrumptiously deliciuos!

Would we wanna go back again? Probably try another Mexican eatery, compare the two, then make a decision.